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Learning in International Organizations in Global Environmental Governance

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  • Bernd Siebenhüner

    (Bernd Siebenhüner is Professor of Ecological Economics at Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg. He is also deputy leader of the Global Governance Project (www.glogov.org). Bernd Siebenhüner holds a Ph.D. in Economics and Master's degrees in Economics and Political Science. His research interests include international organizations, global environmental governance, social learning, corporate sustainability strategies, and climate and biodiversity governance.)

Abstract

In global environmental governance, numerous new international organizations have emerged from dozens of multilateral treaties signed over the last 30 years. This paper focuses on intergovernmental organizations in an organizational theory perspective with a particular focus on organizational learning processes. It explores where and when international organizations exhibit organizational learning with significant effects on the organizations' internal structure and behavior. Key hypotheses from principal-agent theory and organizational learning theory are tested in eight case studies of international organizations involved in global environmental governance. The analysis shows that organizations engage in three forms of learning: reflexive learning, adaptive learning, and no learning. Explanations of the observed variation depend on specific learning mechanisms, change agents in leadership functions and external triggers such as pressures from governments or nongovernmental actors. (c) 2008 by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Suggested Citation

  • Bernd Siebenhüner, 2008. "Learning in International Organizations in Global Environmental Governance," Global Environmental Politics, MIT Press, vol. 8(4), pages 92-116, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:tpr:glenvp:v:8:y:2008:i:4:p:92-116
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    Cited by:

    1. Louis Lebel & Torsten Grothmann & Bernd Siebenhüner, 2010. "The role of social learning in adaptiveness: insights from water management," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 10(4), pages 333-353, December.
    2. Garmendia, Eneko & Stagl, Sigrid, 2010. "Public participation for sustainability and social learning: Concepts and lessons from three case studies in Europe," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 69(8), pages 1712-1722, June.

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